This is a very competitive race for the Grade and hard to rule out too many; so we'll pin our colours to a couple and not over-stake.

 

At the top of the market both Conqueredalofeurope and John Adams have solid claims and favourites chances. They call for blinkers on Conqueredalofeurope but I think this is a deeper race than the one it was runner up in last time over Course and Distance and John Adams who won last time after 3 times unseating in its previous 4 runs is just too chancey at fences for me to be taking this sort of price. A big danger though if getting round from A to B.

 

Exit to The West seems to keep best form for Punchestown but on the form there has strong claims, Jacksons Gold seems to flit from slightly shorter than this to 3 miles and is a disappointing horse overall and there are a couple who stand out a bit more for me in this but when it clicks it can and will win races of this type.Gevrey has become disappointing and the only way in for me would be if you fancy a nibble on anything from the Yard in this type of race and probably the same applies to Recite A Prayer from the Mullins yard, another disappointing type who wouldn't probably get a look if it wasn't from the yard it was. If you fancy a small shrapnel on either given connections at nice e/w prices then feel free.

 

At big e/w Odds I can give a squeak to both SAMURAI CRACKER who is up in trip but a decent shout on some Course and Distance form off a similar mark and also NOBODY HOME who is a Course winner and seems to save best for here and the handicap mark looks interesting to me. He'd be my reserve if either tip doesn't run of you fancy a sporting Tricast Perm.

 

My favoured pair though are KAVANAGHS CORNER who may be 13 now but last 2 wins were at this trip, Rachel rides for HDB and it just looks primed in optimum conditions to run a big race here and we know it'll get every support from the saddle. WINGIN A PRAYER is more speculative and just got the nod over the biggies like Nobody Home and Samurai Cracker. WINGIN A PRAYER runs for the Harrington Team whose horses are slowly now coming to the boil after a quiet spell for the Yard. It ran better last time after a couple of unlucky Falls and is the opposite to the proven form of the older Kavanaghs Corner in that it still has plenty of scope and with confidence of that last run could be a quiet improver. I think it's actually a much better jumper than say John Adams, so I'm happy to invest in it today.